'Sitaron K Darmian' Collaboration and The Future of Street Children

Sadequain Art Society has launched the first phase of its project “Sitaron K Darmiyan”. This is an educational project which is based on street children’s education and those children which belong to underprivileged families that cannot afford the educational expenses of their children and let them work and earn for the survival of their families. The main focus of this project is to teach drawing techniques and make a skillful environment for our future generations.

In the first phase of project team of Sadequain Art Society along with many youth organizations and university students visited Master Ayyub School yesterday. Master Ayyub School is an open air school which is situated in F-6 Sector of Islamabad where Master Ayyub is teaching those street children for decades. Sadequain Art Society has provided the stationary to the students and team of Senior Artists like Younis Roomi(General Secretory Sadequain Art Society) and Asrar Farooqi(Freelance Artist) have delivered a workshop on basics of Drawing Techniques. This training included skills of writing and drawing in which children have shown great interest.

Many healthy activities like poems telling and singing National Songs like Dil Dil Pakistan was also part of this project. Team of Sadequain Art Society has engaged children in many extra-curricular activities as well asked them many questions about their homeland Pakistan. And at the end, all the children were provided with chocolates and juices to make them motivated towards education.

Founder of Sadequain Art Society Syed Hassaan Ali Shah concluded the session with his remarks and told that this “Sitaron K Darmiyan” is an ongoing project which will be continued and our mission is very clear outcomes of which will be seen in society very soon. Our objective of bringing change through education will be fulfilled very soon. Today we have just started this project and in future, we might be targeting any other place within the country. After the end of the workshop on drawing techniques, we will evaluate the work of children and then will focus on those children which are showing good interest in the field of drawing and designing. He added that our team belongs to young and dynamic youth like Usman Khalid, Kashif Ullah, Syed Maryah, Shoaib Malick and Haris Mustafa, and Nida Yousaf which have great potential and working hard for the promotion of Art, Culture, and Education.

Master Ayyub was thankful to team Sadequain Art Society and has said in his remarks that this type of initiatives make me more motivated towards the betterment of Pakistan and bring change through education.

Many organizations like Dil Say Pakistan, Hamaray Log, Chal Chalen, Beyond Sanity Publishing and Acts of Kindness came in to support “Sitaron K Darmiyan”. Many University Students belonging International Islamic University, Islamabad, National University of Science and Technology and Bahria University also contributed to the project.

Mushaihid Shah our grooming star and Gold Medalist in rock climbing also supported and joined the first phase of project “Sitaron K Darmiyan”

You can find the event details here.

Interview with Dr. Samiha Zubair, Poet, and a doctor.

• Tell us about yourself?

I think it's the most difficult question as still, I need to know a lot about myself. I belong to a middle-class family brought up by decent parents and I am great full to them. I completed my primary from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. At a young age left for Pakistan and completed my Medical training as a doctor.  My first write-up was rather an opinion for how to keep city clean which came out in Dawn's Young World. After that was busy in studies. I started writing again though with fits and starts from 2013

• Why did you choose to write poetry?

I think it's like poetry chose me, this genre of writing was new for me too and u will be surprised to know that I have lots of books which adorn my shelf and borrowed from friends too but none is the book of poetry. Though if I was reading poetry as part of my grade course I would be mesmerized with words.

• When did you start working on your book?

I was writing mainly for relaxation just to vent out my feelings but credit for it goes to some of my colleagues who after reading my poems so much liked it that they encouraged me to go for a compilation of my writings and that's how it came in my mind. I submitted poems in two competitions for one I was selected among commendable writers. I then compiled and sent a rough draft around April 2016 and there was no looking back.

• Who are you currently reading?

I am currently reading the book version of  Miss Peregrine's Home for The Peculiar Children penned by Ransom Riggs. It's a light fantasy read.

• How do you manage to write with your profession keeping you busy?

I think it's a lot about prioritizing. As my profession takes up a lot of my time. I feel for some poetry is practiced and learned but for me, its borne out of situations I see, feel or experience so I cannot particularly slot time that this time is for writing poetry. It depends on my mood.

• Tell us about your upcoming book?

My upcoming book is Reneging Quiescence, the concoction of different experiences and common message in one way or other and that is a refusal to be silenced by wrong things. Sometimes we are aggressive in certain situations to criticize but where we can really help we just turn a blind eye.

• What are your plans for this book?

I hope this book is able to reach out to maximum readers out there and also help those who are not voracious readers but can read it to get an inspiration. It will be released on Amazon first and then as a paperback.

• Why do you think the culture of book reading declining in Pakistan?

There are obvious reasons like education being too much expensive so increase in illiteracy, from childhood not encouraged to read books, different aspects of social media like the net ,- television to keep families occupied so no one interested. Books fairs are being arranged in Karachi where a lot of old books exchanged but usually fewer crowds are willing to stand beneath the sun to buy books.

• Do you prefer Ebook or Paperback?

For me, the magic of Paper book cannot be compared with an Ebook ever. At Least for now and maybe in the future. Sitting on the computer for a long time is also damaging for eyes, your posture also.

• As a writer and a poet, what is your message to the world?

My message to the world is happy it's your right as long as it doesn't hurt anyone. Don't stop dreaming. Be good where everywhere there seems to be so much rush its like time has bought us.

N remember as I said before AS WE LABEL THE SKY SO WE SET ITS LIMITS.

I want to thank Irum CEO of the publishing house and an  author in her write for asking me for her blog interview.

You can buy her book by placing an order here: beyondsanitybooks@gmail.com

Know more about her Here.

Know about Beyond Sanity Publishing 

'Going Bananas over Bananistan'

Here is what they said on their official Facebook Event Page.:

"It's the year 2030, and the country is under a full martial law. Things are at peace and prosperous, political players are all in different professions, and the media is on complete lock-down and only theater is allowed now as a means of entertainment. When a production loses its entire cast in a tragic accident ten days before opening night, they have to take drastic measures to recast the show. Watch the mayhem unfold as the worlds of theater and politics collide in this new comedy, as everyone scrambles to make the show a success - a relative term for those involved. After all, what impact can a play actually have?"

So what happens in Bananistan?

Tell you what, I was expecting a play that has lame punch lines over politics jokes that we've been hearing for years with actors we repeatedly see on TV. But No.

I was surprised by the  uncanny resembling costumes and makeup and hilarious impressions. This play made me think why our politics is on a repeat mode. Everyone gets a share, everyone gets their part in making or breaking the country. They retire and then they come back to ruin us some more. 

Bananistan shows exactly what happens to us every day in the politics of our country and brings out the tidbits of fun and humor all mixed in one. Mustapha Chaudhry was outstanding. I couldn't keep my face straight!

In the press conference, Saqib Sumeer said that it was difficult for them to write down Bananistan as they had to make it resemble people we know while making them entirely new. It took them 3-4 months to perfect the script.

Another exciting fact about this play is the way it has included Ahsan Bari's genius music mind in the presentation. And that's not it, this play will be the longest running play in Pakistan as this year, Kopykats has aimed to grace Faisalabad, Multan and Sialkot as well as Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi with their performance.

"Our sole purpose is Entertainment", said Dawar, the creative genius and the person behind Bananistan. He also stated that in the next 2 years, they launch 5 plays in collaboration with Telenor.

The element of grace came when Iman Shahid hit a note so beautiful, that everyone in the audience paused for good 15 Seconds and then burst into an applause. Dawar has indeed picked the best for the play. 

Every actor in the theater play represented the best of their expertise and It was enlightening to see the revival of Theater and art. Tickets are going all out as everyone wants to see the marvel of comedy presented at National Library of Pakistan. The show will continue till 4th December 2016.

I'm proud to tell you that Beyond Sanity Publishing is one of the media partners and will be publishing interviews with the cast soon!

To know the details, call or text 0321-2049423 or visit Facebook.

Learning to live in Peace-One step at a time

Peace is proving to be one of the most endangered elements on our dear planet these days.
Why? Because instead of tolerance and patience, we are choosing to fight, ignore and blame each other.
Every day more of us become victims of extremism and violence. 

Peace, something the whole word is craving for at the moment. In a world like this, where seasons go by, loved one's bid farewell and the innocent blood goes worthless- we need a break. To be more precise, we owe a lot to this world. Yet, we sit back and let it deteriorate gradually. Why?

Indifference is productive as long as things are not under one's control but, when they are, why don't we contribute some part?

This world is heading towards an unfathomable end. The earth weeps each day when a drop of innocent blood hits the ground. The Mother Nature- the trees, herbs, and shrubs, the mountains and seas; complain mankind for each wound Humans inflict upon them.

Pakistan is a third world country. Incompetent in a lot of areas, but illiteracy itself is not the factor behind it. Terrorism is at its peak in Pakistan. People have even forgotten what peace is like? In fact, we hardly remember when was the last time we witnessed peace in our country.

The one thing every culture, every artist, every tradition, every musician, every nation promotes is Peace. This world needs to focus on the significance of tolerance and peace because that is what transforms our decisions in the real world. We step according to the political stability, economic stability, finances etc. but most of all, if we see ourselves surrounded by components that invoke extremism or terror rather than peace and harmony, we are reluctant to take any decision. 

Unfortunately, it is not just about Pakistan but all other countries around the globe where roots of barbarism are spreading deeper and deeper. In this situation, at least we, the youth of Pakistan, need to pull in the reins and start working towards eliminating violence as much as possible. Be it through writing, workshops, processions or social media promotion. In a nutshell, peace has to prevail and the opposite has to be annihilated.

We are not perfect, we rely on our perceptions and studies to determine how we 'SHOULD' act, or how we CAN bring peace when what we really should be doing is looking at ourselves and how we can change our surroundings by changing OURSELVES. 

'Gnothi Seauton'

(Greek) 'Know Thyself'

Article by Beyond Sanity Publishing for Peace Without Borders

2016 Nobel Prize In Literature Awarded To Bob Dylan

 

STOCKHOLM, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Bob Dylan, regarded as the voice of a generation for his influential songs from the 1960s onwards, has won the Nobel Prize for Literature in a surprise decision that made him the only singer-songwriter to win the award.

The 75-year-old Dylan - who won the prize for “having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition” - now finds himself in the company of Winston Churchill, Thomas Mann and Rudyard Kipling as Nobel laureates.

The announcement was met with gasps in Stockholm’s stately Royal Academy hall, followed - unusually - by some laughter.

Dylan’s songs, such as “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “The Times They Are a-Changin’,” “Subterranean Homesick Blues” and “Like a Rolling Stone” captured a spirit of rebellion, dissent and independence.

More than 50 years on, Dylan is still writing songs and is often on tour, performing his dense poetic lyrics, sung in a sometimes rasping voice that has been ridiculed by detractors.

Some lyrics have resonated for decades.

“Blowin’ in the Wind,” written in 1962, was considered one of the most eloquent folk songs of all time. “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” in which Dylan told Americans “your sons and your daughters are beyond your command,” was an anthem of the civil rights movement and Vietnam War protests.

Awarding the 8 million Swedish crown ($930,000) prize, the Swedish Academy said: “Dylan has the status of an icon. His influence on contemporary music is profound.”

Swedish Academy member Per Wastberg said: “He is probably the greatest living poet.”

Asked if he thought Dylan’s Nobel lecture - traditionally given by the laureate in Stockholm later in the year - would be a concert, replied: “Let’s hope so.”

Over the years, not everyone has agreed that Dylan was a poet of the first order. Novelist Norman Mailer countered: “If Dylan’s a poet, I’m a basketball player.”

Sara Danius, Permanent Secretary of the Nobel Academy, told a news conference there was “great unity” in the panel’s decision to give Dylan the prize.

Dylan has always been an enigmatic figure. He went into seclusion for months after a motorcycle crash in 1966, leading to stories that he had cracked under the pressure of his new celebrity.

He was born into a Jewish family but in the late 1970s converted to born-again Christianity and later said he followed no organized religion. At another point in his life, Dylan took up boxing.

Dylan’s spokesman, Elliott Mintz, declined immediate comment when reached by phone, citing the early hour in Los Angeles, where it was 3 a.m. at the time of the announcement. Dylan was due to give a concert in Las Vegas on Thursday evening.

Literature was the last of this year’s Nobel prizes to be awarded. The prize is named after dynamite inventor Alfred Nobel and has been awarded since 1901 for achievements in science, literature and peace in accordance with his will. 

Article by The Huffington Post. Read it Here

You may not have heard of Michiyo Yasuda, but you know her work

 

Michiyo Yasuda, the artist who coloured some of Studio Ghibli's greatest films, has died at the age of 77.

She worked with iconic animator Hayao Miyazaki on 13 animated productions including My Neighbour Totoro and Howl's Moving Castle.

Her work helped Spirited Away win best animated feature at the 2003 Oscars.

She retired in 2008 but returned to work with Studio Ghibli on 2013's historical drama, The Wind Rises.

Yasuda first worked with Hayao Miyazaki in 1968 on The Great Adventure of Horus, Prince of the Sun, when the two were employed by Japanese animation studio Toei Doga.

Hayao Miyazaki founded Studio Ghibli in 1985 and Michiyo worked with the company from the start, leading the studio's colour department.

Ghibli has been celebrated for using hand-drawn elements in their productions, long after digital animation became the norm in animation (although their movies have been coloured digitally).

She spoke of her admiration for Hayao Miyazaki in 2009, shortly after the release of Ponyo, a Ghibli re-telling of The Little Mermaid.

"I have respected Mr Miyazaki since our days at Toei Doga, and I have always loved his way of thinking," she told The LA Times.

"Colour has a meaning and it makes the film more easily understood. Colours and pictures can enhance what the situation is on screen."

She was responsible for bringing characters such as Chihiro (the lost little girl in Spirited Away), Kiki (the optimistic young witch in Kiki's Delivery Service) and the iconic Totoro (My Neighbour Totoro) to life on screen.

Totoro became the logo for Studio Ghibli and even made a cameo appearance in Disney's Toy Story 3.

Her work on Spirited Away was praised in 2002 by US film critic Roger Ebert, who said the film was "A pleasure to regard, with its subtle use of colours, clear lines, rich detail and its realistic depiction of fantastical elements."

She also worked on critically acclaimed 1988 war movie, Grave Of The Fireflies, widely considered one of the most emotional animated movies ever made.

In 2007, The Colour Artisan of Animation, a book about Michiyo's work was published in Japan, celebrating her career.

Fans of Studio Ghibli movies have been paying tribute on Twitter.

Original Article by: By Michael Baggs for Newsbeat 

Read it Here

THIS WEEKEND: In 25 Cities Worldwide, Thousands Rally against Nuclear Weapons on 71st Anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings

“Who will keep us safe?”

Marking the 71st anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, thousands of Global Zero activists will participate in a global day of action calling for an end to the nuclear threat. Activists will tour/ride/hike in Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Islamabad, tracing the blast of a “small” nuclear weapon and highlighting the zone of devastation in which most injuries would be fatal, overwhelming any possible humanitarian relief efforts.

FIND A “BIKE/RIDE AROUND THE BOMB” EVENT HERE:

http://www.globalzero.org/ride‐around‐the‐bomb

“We live in a world still recovering from cold war politics, and nuclear weapons are horrific relics of that time. We cannot afford to continue on this trajectory of clinging to outdated weapons that jeopardize our security every day. Whether by accident or design, entire cities could be erased in a matter of minutes, ending human civilization as we know it.” 

Said Haneen Khalid, South Asia Field Organizer at Global Zero.

“A world in which our safety hangs in the balance is not a world we want to leave behind for future generations. The time to take action to protect our safety is now.” 

In 25 cities around the world, including 4 in Pakistan, 3 in India, and 17 in the US, grassroots activists will demand action to eliminate all nuclear weapons everywhere as they “Ride Around the Bomb.” The demonstrations also come at a time when President Barack Obama, facing public pressure to live up to the nuclear commitments he outlined in Prague in 2009, is reportedly considering a series of executive actions to reduce the global nuclear threat, including a bold reform that would end U.S. policy permitting first use of nuclear weapons.

What we are up to!

It is exciting to see people with talent and the will to write joining hands to create beautiful art and literature.

That being said, I announced last year that Beyond Sanity Publishing is accepting submissions for a paperback anthology of the best work submitted. Last date to submit was May 31st. So right now I am going through hundreds of different poems and stories to see what comes where. I will announce the final list in July!

So that leaves us with little over a week. way too much to do, so little time. Beyond Sanity Publishing is currently working on the following projects:

• The Youth Of Pakistan by Hafiza Noor.ul.Ain
• Psychaotic by Irum Zahra (2nd Edition)
• The Tales of Crucified Blunt by Areesh Fatmee
• Five Wishes and the prophecy of the prince by Faran Kiani
• Out of the labyrinth by Zoha Hidayat and Saja Ali
• Reneging Quiescence by Dr. Samiha Zubair
• Eliminating Riba- A Way Forward by Summan Waseem

Many other projects are in pipeline as well, including my personal favorite, Humans of ICG. I studied in Islamabad College for girls for 12 years and it was a long long time. I learnt so much and I went through so many emotional changes during that time. ICG was and is a place where we made friends, had endless gossip sessions, motivational pep talks sessions, Oh and the students week was the best of all. Funfairs, concerts, book fairs. What was not there?

Sadly, not me anymore. Everyone graduated and then their sisters are there and their cousins and the cycle goes on. The story goes on. So I decided to make a Facebook platform where everyone who has attended ICG can submit a story of their time in ICG and other students can read and share and relate to the same things.

We have also started a giveaway, Enter Here! winner will get a free BOOK from us and an Eid gift! How cool is that. 

Then, we are currently taking submissions for book reviews ans marketing. If you're already a published writer, let us help you in promoting your work to our audience.

Highlight of this week is Noor.ul.ain's National Television Interview, that you can watch Here.  We are so proud of her. To order her book, please drop an email at beyondsanitybooks@gmail.com

SUMMERS! Send us your summer book collection. we want to know what you'e reading.

Have fun!

NaSCon 2016 - Bringing Students Together

NaSCon is one of the biggest events  organised by FAST National University Islamabad that invites students from all across Pakistan to compete in extraordinary activities. This year, NaSCon is expecting an audience of over 3000 to participate in 50 different competitions relates to business, technology and engineering.

This year, NaSCon has invited me to be a speaker and Judge at their poetry competition.I think  that it is a great chance for students to present their ideas and their love for extra curricular activities.

Here are the details:

“Takhaeyul ki Uraan - Flight of Fancy” is a poetry writing competition for registered students of colleges and universities all over Pakistan! Its the second time this competition is being held in FAST-NU Islamabad’s NaSCon! So join us and show us your skills in writing Poems and Ghazals!

Register here

Rules and Regulations:
• You can write either in Urdu or English
• There shall be a winner for English and one for Urdu.
• There will be only 1 round of 120 minutes. No extra time will be given.
• Your poem/ghazal must not be any more than 30 verses!
• The required stationery will be provided to the participants.
• The participants will be given a scenario, or a theme to write on.
• The participants will be awarded points based on relevance to the theme, style of delivery, poem structure and uniqueness of their material.

For detail and further information contact :
Gulraiz Niazi : 03055121719

Venue: A.K. Brohi Road H-11 Islamabad

http://nascon.org.pk/

Sherry Khattak talks Music, Passion and Pakistan Music Industry

Coming from Karachi, today we bring you one of the most talked about musicians in Pakistan, Sherry Khattak. From covers of famous songs to Nescafe Basement star, Sherry has made a place for himself in this world filled with music and poetry.

Here are his thoughts on Music, Life and More Music!

Tell us about your beginnings as an artist?

Well to be honest I never knew exactly when it all started for me, I remember being a music freak back in my school days, so much that I made a deal with my parents to buy me a guitar if I get good grades, and it all started from there.

What lead you to create your own band and work in the music industry?

Unlike others i was lucky to work in a studio right after i started music, So I was well aware of how to work in a studio, sooner I was fortunate enough to own my own studio and make music for myself.

Tell us more about your band?

Overdose has been a bit off the map these days, Since we all are now busy in Nescafe Basement 4, We have an English original in the pipeline that we'll be releasing right after the season ends.

Tell us more about the type of music you make, what inspires you?

I never tend to isolate myself under one specific genre or type of music, I love experimenting and Nescafe Basement has groomed me a lot in making music, If you see the original song I did in last season and the song I did this season you'll clearly see how I have improved in song writing and experimenting.

Have you worked with any other artists?

I have worked with alot of great names whom I always look up to, artists like Xulfi, Gumby, Omran Shafique, Meesha Shafi, Adeel Khurram and many others.

You also work as a producer, could you tell us more about that experience?

I love being in the studio, when I'm back in Karachi, I'm busy in my studio and when I'm here in Lahore I work as an assistant producer for Nescafe Basement, in short my whole year is spent in studio working and doing what I love.

Would you say that you are closer to fulfilling your dreams?

Well I guess I'm pretty close.

What are your thoughts on the kind of music playing today, in this day and age?

It's great! I have seen such great talent in the past few years, all we need now is a boost in the industry and I think music shows like Nescafe Basement and Coke Studio are playing a huge part in it.

What would you do or say to improve peoples’ perception of music?

I would listen more, and like we musicians experiment in music people should change there listening often, Try finding new bands and singers once in a while.

How has it been like to work on Nescafe Basement?

It has been life changing for me, this is my second season and every day I feel like I have improved, watching everyone and learning from them every year what more would anyone want.

Do you have any advice to give for the kids starting out and for those who are trying to make it in this industry?

I would say never give up, keeping at it is the key making good choices will always make you sustain in what you do.

There you go guys. Another great week for Beyond Sanity Publishing. Reach the artist here:

Follow Sherry On Facebook

View him on Instagram!

View YouTube videos here!

Hira Ali Creates Magic with Revelations!

Ever since I started working, I always pictures Hira Ali, the  CEO of Revelations Event Management and Decorators to be a mentor and inspiration for every young girl wanting to make their place in the world. She is very professional and very friendly at the same time, she motivates and encourages so many people in Pakistan and even around the globe.

Revelations has created so many beautiful events together, exquisite photography, delicious catering, decor that would make you say 'O Dear God, I want this on my birthday'

So Beauty? Check.

Confidence? Check.

Success? Check.

Be Inspired. Here we go!

Define yourself?

I'm a workaholic and I strive for perfection.

What is it like being a woman who work as an equal to men and pulling off events better than them?

It feels great hahaha. Being able to stand proud and happy at the end of every event makes me feel great.

Is Pakistan supportive of working women?

At first they weren't but now the trend s changing and are yes very much supportive.

What was the most exciting event of your career?

Everyday is a new day, with new people, new places so I think that day is its yet to come.

Where is Revelations headed in the next 5 years?

It started between friends and now, it had become Islamabad's most sought after event management company. In the next 5 years, I see it very ahead of its game.

What makes Revelation exceptional?

We're the pioneers in the field of thematic birthdays that makes the magic happen. Till now, we have organized more thematic birthdays and weddings planned than any other event management company in Islamabad.

Name some of the achievements Rev scored.

Making magic happen and being the reason behind people's happiness is the biggest achievement anyone can ask for.

What is reason behind women not adjusting in this men's world?

Who said it's a men's world? (Smiles)

What was the biggest career decision you made other than Revelations?

This is what I wanted all the way. Revelations is who I am.

What kind of people do you hate to work with?

Over confident, Nosy & Fake. Might sound rude,but trust me, when you are in this line of work, you get to meet all sorts of people.

How do you see event management in Pakistan?

Event management has created a huge industry for itself in the past few years in Pakistan and no doubt that it is one of the most successful businesses in Pakistan.

Hira Ali for Beyond Sanity Publishing